Puffy upper eyelid edema

[Athena]

For many years now, even before CKD became evident, my upper eyelids became prone to swelling. Even way before then, in my twenties, I used to have eczema flare up on my upper eyelids occasionally which was treated with cortisone ointment. Now I have developed excess loose skin and hooded eyelids. And under one eye, I have a mild bag that is starting to be seen.

Could this be the eye area edema that is associated with CKD? Does anyone else have this? I'm wondering what can be done about this. I would not like to resort to cosmetic surgery but the way I'm feeling about my hooded puffy eyelids, I might consider it.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

I don't know if this is CKD edema but yes, upper eyelid edema is a trademark of the disease.  When the edema is chronic, as in someone with lower kidney function, the thin skin of the eyelid will stretch over time and hang/droop.  Some of the advice offered to people without CKD is to get good sleep, avoid salt and get adequate fluids.  (All very vague and random.) That can be extended to people like us.  With CKD, some things may stick around no matter what we do as they denote the disease in our bodies.  However, you could try a strong eye cream.  It wouldn't reduce the edema per say but it may tighten the skin up.  Lancôme Génifique is a cheap option "many" women seem to say works well with eyelids.  I haven't used it but many say they see improvement.

I feel for you, I really do.  I can honestly say CKD/ESRD does a number on your eyes.  When I was Stage 3, I didn't have any fluid problems.  As well, my eyes looked bright and "normal".  However, when I hit Stage 4 and ESRD, my eyes were the first to go down the drain.  If people say "well, you don't look sick", they then look at my eyes and I have sunken in purple eyes with (like you) bags developing.

As well, you say you "might" consider cosmetic surgery.  Quick question: Have you consulted anyone in the past?  I had a couple consultations (one consult and a second opinion) because I wanted work done and neither would touch me because a) Type 1 diabetes b) (at the time) CKD.  They had fears about infection and a slow healing process.  Maybe the eyes are a different case as the incisions are smaller... but also a lot more can go wrong.  The joys of high risk patients...

[Stu]

Yeah that is one thing I get too

The funny thing is that I get huge bags under my eyes when I'm dry

It's like the skin around my eyes has been stretched so much over the last 20 odd years, that when there's no fluid there, huge bags of floppy skin form under my eyes

I actually think I look better with a bit of fluid on just before dialysis.

[PrimeTimer]

Puffy eyelids might be related to dialysis or...maybe not. I'm not on dialysis (hubby is) but last summer I went thru a time where I was hot and sweating so much, sweat was dripping/running down into my eyes. My upper eyelids got real puffy for a couple weeks. Looked on the internet and read up on Blepharitis. I started applying warm compresses several times a day and that took care of it.

[Athena]

I don't know if this is CKD edema but yes, upper eyelid edema is a trademark of the disease.  When the edema is chronic, as in someone with lower kidney function, the thin skin of the eyelid will stretch over time and hang/droop.  Some of the advice offered to people without CKD is to get good sleep, avoid salt and get adequate fluids.  (All very vague and random.) That can be extended to people like us.  With CKD, some things may stick around no matter what we do as they denote the disease in our bodies.  However, you could try a strong eye cream.  It wouldn't reduce the edema per say but it may tighten the skin up.  Lancôme Génifique is a cheap option "many" women seem to say works well with eyelids.  I haven't used it but many say they see improvement.

I feel for you, I really do.  I can honestly say CKD/ESRD does a number on your eyes.  When I was Stage 3, I didn't have any fluid problems.  As well, my eyes looked bright and "normal".  However, when I hit Stage 4 and ESRD, my eyes were the first to go down the drain.  If people say "well, you don't look sick", they then look at my eyes and I have sunken in purple eyes with (like you) bags developing.

As well, you say you "might" consider cosmetic surgery.  Quick question: Have you consulted anyone in the past?  I had a couple consultations (one consult and a second opinion) because I wanted work done and neither would touch me because a) Type 1 diabetes b) (at the time) CKD.  They had fears about infection and a slow healing process.  Maybe the eyes are a different case as the incisions are smaller... but also a lot more can go wrong.  The joys of high risk patients...

UkrainianTS, thank you for your reply. I think my issue may have started before CKD, so it appears to be a genetic predisposition towards hooded eyelids. As we age, these insidious changes tend to happen as well (ie dark circles under eyes & crepe-like skin). It sounds like CKD will be the final nail on the coffin where the youthfulness of my eyes are concerned! Oh dear!

I'm still considered well preserved and generally am taken to be younger for my age. My girlfriends who have super forensic eagle eyes have identified this as my weakest link where appearances are concerned. I haven't yet consulted any plastic surgeons because I know that I won't really be able to go through any surgery anyway so it would be a waste of time. I have retinopathy that is being monitored closely and I know that my eye specialist would be appalled to hear about any cosmetic surgery. I'll have to try these skin firming lotions like you suggested.

[Athena]

Yeah that is one thing I get too

The funny thing is that I get huge bags under my eyes when I'm dry

It's like the skin around my eyes has been stretched so much over the last 20 odd years, that when there's no fluid there, huge bags of floppy skin form under my eyes

I actually think I look better with a bit of fluid on just before dialysis.

Thanks Stu. Do you get the swelling below your eyes or above them? (in the eyelid and under the brow area?). I can understand how a little swelling can smooth out the wrinkles! That's why obese people often look smooth skinned but become prematurely aged looking if they loose a lot of weight! 

[kristina]

For many years now, even before CKD became evident, my upper eyelids became prone to swelling. Even way before then, in my twenties, I used to have eczema flare up on my upper eyelids occasionally which was treated with cortisone ointment. Now I have developed excess loose skin and hooded eyelids. And under one eye, I have a mild bag that is starting to be seen.

Could this be the eye area edema that is associated with CKD? Does anyone else have this? I'm wondering what can be done about this. I would not like to resort to cosmetic surgery but the way I'm feeling about my hooded puffy eyelids, I might consider it.

Hello Athena,
The same problem bothered me many, many years ago and a nephrologist and a very experienced dermatologist told me at that time,
that my inflammed eye-lids were reacting like this because of my very fragile kidney function... I always thought it may have been some kind of allergy as well...
... The dermatologist was very helpful and told me to use a very tiny bit of fresh (uncooked) egg-white and "tap" is very slowly, gently and carefully
on both inflammed eye-lids... I also had to make sure that the egg-white would not touch my eyes...
... This simple little remedy never failed to help a lot and "calm" the inflammation of my eye-lids .... and as you can imagine, I was very glad about it ...
... I am sure nephrologists and dermatologists may have developed much better ideas by now, but at that time those helpful simple tips saved my day...
Best wishes from Kristina. 

[Athena]

Kristina, thank you! That is a perfect natural solution - raw egg white. That's brilliant. Come to think of it, why not use egg white on the whole face at night to tighten it all up? Once it dries, it would be easy to bear. My BF I'm sure will object but the end result may be worth it 

Thank you.

[kristina]

Kristina, thank you! That is a perfect natural solution - raw egg white. That's brilliant. Come to think of it, why not use egg white on the whole face at night to tighten it all up? Once it dries, it would be easy to bear. My BF I'm sure will object but the end result may be worth it 

Thank you.

Hello Athena,
Please ask your nephrologist and dermatologist first ...
... and please don't put raw egg-white all over your face & please use it very, very sparingly & carefully on your eye-lids...
At the time I "only" used it three times during the day and only once in the evening before I went to bed...
... but I washed my face very thoroughly with soap etc. before I put very little raw egg-white on my eye-lids very sparingly...
... But please ask your nephrologist and dermatologist about this ... and please take care of yourself,
Best wishes from Kristina.

[Athena]

Thanks Kristina. I only intend to use it sparingly at night while sleeping. I wouldn't have any patience to dab on a few times a day. I will be careful to use only a tiny amount. If there's any reaction, I will wash off and that will the end of that. 

[alice123]

Hey, I can see that you have puffy eyelids after you came across some eyelid issues. Well, this is the thing then do not worry, just you have to try some natural treatments if you have don’t done yet then  maybe you can overcome this issue. Puffy eyelids make your appearance really bad and so everyone wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. However, when it comes to treat puffy eyelids, you can try several treatments but I think if you try home remedies then you will soon get some relief.
Here, you can try some natural home remedies to get rid of puffy eyelids. Below you can look at some use of tea bags to cure puffy eyelids:
Peppermint Tea Bag: With the use of peppermint tea bag, you can compress on your eyes. It will help you cleanse and reduce the swelling with its cooling effect. Peppermint tea bag has a strong menthol aroma which is quite helpful in treating puffy eyelids.
Green Tea Bags: Green tea bag is very in tannins and antioxidants. This tea bag is used to lighten the puffy eyes. Also, it will tighten the skin around or under the eyes.
Chamomile Tea Bags: Chamomile tea bag has some astringent, anti-oxidant, anti-allergenic, cleansing and saturating bleaching properties that can help you reduce fatigue.
Try to make use of these tea bags to treat puffy eyelids with an ease. All these tea bags uses are effective to use. You can try all these tea bags also if you have dark eyelids. They also improve the appearance of dark eyelids so you can also use these tea bags for this purpose as well.